Watchcase



Filed sept. 22, 1958 @QQ/f Y INVENTOR Eugen Pres mal-1,

ATTO N EYS Patented Dec: 24, 1940 UNITED STATES YVATCHCASE EugenPrestinari, Summit, N. J., assigner to Gemex Company, Newark, N. J., acorporation of New Jersey Application september 2z, 193s, sei-siamo.231,146

2 Claims.

This invention relates to watchcase construction, and more particularlyto a wrist-watch case.

One of the objects of this invention is to pro- 5 vide a wrist-watchcase which is pleasing in appearance, and conducive to comfort whenstrapped to the wrist. Another object is to provide a; Wrist-watch casewhich affords maximum watch visibility, and at the same time kreducescrystal fracture to a minimum. Other objects will be in part apparentand in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

o In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the embodimentsof my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wrist watch strapped in place on thewrist;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the Wrist Watch strapped in place on theWrist;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the wrist watch strapped in place on thewrist; and,

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 4--4 of Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout thevarious views of the drawing.

Practically all wrist watches are worn von top of the wrist, i. e. in aposition to rest on the r radius and ulna thereof and span the spacetherebetween. When the watch is in this position,

or in a diametrically opposite one, on the bottom of the wrist, it isdiicult to read at a glance, when the wrist is resting on a table ordesk. For example, when a person is writing at a desk, the normalposition of his idle arm is such that the plane of the wrist is inclinedfrom the horizontal away from the body. This results from the taperingformation of the hand, which is most massive adjacent the third joint ofthe thumb.

5 fection, little or no attention has been paid to As the wrist extendsfrom the hand in the samek the above-noted aspect thereof. Regardless ofthe accuracy of the watch movement, and the perfection of theornamentation of the watchcase, the value of the watch to the wearer isprimarily proportional to its utility. Hence, if 5 a Watch is a sourceof inconvenience, it fails in its initial purpose. y

Furthermore, when a wrist watch is strapped to the wrist in theconventional manner, i. e., wherein it rests on the radius and ulna sothat it is substantially coplanar with the top of the wrist, the watchis in perfect position for maximum crystal fracture. Whether the arm islying flat on a desk, or hanging by the side, the watch is fully exposedand outward movements of the arm from the body are apt to bring thewatch crystal directly in contact with various objects, resulting incrystal fracture.

While various attempts have been made to facilitate reading the wristwatch at a glance, 0 and to reduce crystal fracture, these attempts havegenerally been abortive and unsuccessful, as they usually have resultedin such peculiar and complicated designs that the watch is un- 5 sightlyin its bulkiness, or otherwise unattractive in appearance, as whereso-called unbreakable crystals of organic material have been used, suchcrystals resulting in discoloration. Where thick glass crystals havebeen employed, optical aberration often results. It is accordinglyanother 30 object of this invention to obviate these various diicultiesin a thoroughly practical and efficient manner.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing, a watch which is generallyindicated at I0 is 35 shown strapped to the wrist II in a positionsubstantially over the upper, inner portion of the wrist, i. e., withrespect to Figure 4, in a position substantially overlying the radiusbone I2. Watch l0 has the usual bails I3 and I4 at opposite ends, towhich straps I5 and I6 are secured, the other ends of these straps beingsuitably fastened to a buckle I1 of any suitable type, preferably of theexpansible type such as shown in my Patent No. 2,057,589.

Watch I0 includes a case or housing I8, which as is shown in Figure 1comprises elongated side bars I9 and 20 connected by cross bars 2l and22. The ends of side bars I9 and 20 project beyond each of cross bars 2Iand 22 to provide projections I9a and ISb on side bar I9, and 20a and20h on side bar 20, which form suitable mountings for braceletconnectors I3 and I4. Thus connector I3 is secured in projections I9aand 20a, and connector I4 is secured in projecsoi tions |9b and 20h. Itis to be understood, however, that the connectors may be secured to thewatchcase in any suitable manner, or if desired, may be formedintegrally therewith.

In Figure 4, wrist Il is shown in its natural attitude when resting on adesk or table top 23, i. e., the horizontal plane A of the wrist beinginclined from the plane of table 23. This is the natural position of thewrist when the arm is at rest on the table, because of the structure ofthe hand, which is heaviest adjacent the third joint of the thumb. Asnoted above, Watch l0 is strapped to the wrist l l on the upper, innerportion thereof, as viewed in Figure 1. To facilitate this positioningof the watch and render it comfortable, case i8 is suitably curved.Thus, between points W and X (Figure 4) side bar I9 (and also side bar20) is curved sharply in conformity with the contour of the wrist atthis point, and in effect forms a sort of hook which. when the watch isstrapped on the wrist hooks` over the radius I2 and prevents the watchfrom sagging away from its readily visible position when the wrist islying in a substantially vertical plane. Between points X and Y of thevside bars, the curve is less pronounced, as the curve of the wrist isflatter at this point. The side bars are only slightly curved, or aresubstantially flat between points Y and Z, as this portion of the watchrests upon the top of lthe wrist between radius l2 and ulna 24, which issubstantially fiat. Preferably the arc WX is of constant radius.Similarly, the arc XY is of constant radius, this radius being longerthan the radius of arc WX. As the portion YZ is either a very fiatcurve, or not curved at all, it may be seen that the full curve WZ is ofvariable radii, and conforms substantially to the contour of the wristbetween the central portions of the side and top thereof. Thus side barsi9 and 20, and cross bars 2l and 22 frame an opening adapted to receivea .curved watch movement 25, which is covered and protected by a crystal26 suitably secured between the side and cross bars.

It may now be seen that the general contour of watch I0 is curved, thecurve thereof substantially conforming to the contour of the wrist atthat portion thereof adjacent top and side of the radius bone.Furthermore, watch I0 extends downwardly along the thumb side of thewrist to a point substantially centrally thereof and extends over theton of the wrist to substantially the median line thereof. The watchmovement 25 and its crystal 25 accordingly are disposed well to oneside, i. e.. the radius side of the wrist. Due to the shape of thewatchcase it naturally takes up the position on the wrist shown inFigures 1 and 2. Fitting as it does about this portion of the wrist. itwill not slide from one side of the wrist to the other even when strapsl5 and IE fit Quite loosely about the wrist. Thus, the Watchcase may beworn loosely about the wrist, affording maximum comfort, and stillremain in this advantageous position where it may be readily viewed bythe wearer.

By way of further example, when a wrist Watch is worn in theconventional manner on top of the wrist, it lies in a substantiallyvertical plane when the wearer is grasping the steering wheel of anautomobile. In this position, the watch cannot be read Without rotatingthe wrist until the Watch is in substantially a horizontal plane. Thisnecessitates at least loosening the grip on the steering wheel, orreleasing it entirely, with attendant danger.

Makers and repairers of watches, while working on a watch, generallyhold the watch so that their wrists are substantially vertical. Theyaccordingly experience considerable inconvenience in using conventionalwrist watches, as they must of necessity frequently consult their ownwatches while repairing others. To do so, they must let go of the watchbeing repaired or adjusted, and turn their wrists to the horizontal inorder to read the time. Considering the fragility of a watch and theminuteness of adjustments thereto, it may readily be seen that thenecessity of releasing the watch with one hand is a source not only ofinconvenience to the wearer, but also of possible damage to the watch.

From these examples, it will now appear that my above-describedwatchcase offers many advantages of visibility and convenienceheretofore unattainable.

With the watch strapped in the position shown in Figure 4, crystal 26 isless liable to breakage from hitting against Various objects. Forexample, if the arm is swinging by the side, direct outward movement ofthe arm against a wall, for example, would not result in breakage of thecrystal, because the general plane thereof is oiset from the plane ofthe wall. Similarly, if the wearer were facing the wall, and swung hisarm thereagainst, the crystal would still be protected because its planeis still inclined from the plane of the wall.

As hereinbefore noted, the hand is most massive adjacent the third jointof the thumb and knuckle of the first finger, this part of the hand alsobeing much firmer than the other, or little iinger side. Hence, where awrist watch and strap are attached to an extensible buckle of the typeshown in my above-noted patent,'position ing of the watch on the wristby passing the hand through the bracelet necessitates collapsing thehand as far as possible without discomfort and edging the braceletthereover. It should be noted, however, that when a watch housed in acurved case such as hereinabove described is put on, it may readily beslipped over the hand by reason of the variable radius curve of thecase, the sharper portions of the curving conforming generally to thecontour of the heavier knuckle joint of the index nger and readilyslipping thereover.

Furthermore, when a watch housed in my above-described case is in thedescribed position on the wrist, it fits snugly thereon and does notimpede movement of the shirt or coat cuff, and rests comfortably againstthe wrist because it conforms to the curve thereof, this not being truewherein a flat or curved case of constant radius is used. As strap l5(Figure 4) is preferably shorter than strap I6, buckle l1 rests inproper position on the bottom of the Wrist where it is readilyaccessible to the wearer.

Accordingly I have provided a watchcase which fulfills the severalobjects set forth above in a thoroughly practical and efiicient manner.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that al1 matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in theaccompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a watchcase including portions curvedto follow the cross-sectional curve of a wrist, said portions includinga section having slight curvature and a section having substantialcurvature, said section of slight curvature conforming to the curvatureof the top surface of said Wrist and said section of substantialcurvature conforming to the curvature of the inner side portion of saidWrist, whereby, when said case is secured to a wrist, saidwrist-conforming sections retain the face of said oase substantially atthe juncture point between the inner side portion and top surface ofsaid wrist by preventing the rotation of said case therearound.

2. As an article of manufacture, a watchcase including two or moresections varying from a substantially hat section to a substantiallycurved section, said substantially flat section being adapted to conformtov the cross-sectional shape of the top portion of a wrist, and saidsubstantially curved section being adapted to conform to thecross-sectional shape of the inner side of said wrist, whereby, whensaid case is secured to a wrist, said wrist-conforming sections retainthe face of said watch substantially at the juncture point between thetop portion and inner side of said wrist by preventing the rotation ofsaid case therearound.

EUGEN PRESTINARI.

